Tagalog people
Total population
Estimated: 26 Million
Regions with significant populations
Philippines, United States
Languages
Tagalog, Filipino and English
Religion
Christianity (Predominantly Roman Catholic, with a minority of Protestants)
Related ethnic groups
Other Filipino people

The Tagalog people (Tgl:Tagalog) is the second largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group. The name Tagalog comes from the native term tagailog, meaning 'people living in the river banks'. The prefix taga- means 'coming from' or 'native of', while the word ilog means 'river'. Transliterated, tagailog means 'coming from the river' or 'native of the river', with 'the' being implied.

The Tagalogs are the most widespread in the Philippines. They form a majority in the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Batangas, Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Marinduque, and Rizal. Other provinces with significant Tagalog populations include the provinces of Palawan, Tarlac, and in Zambales.

Demographics

Tagalogs number about 15,876,000 making them the largest Filipino ethnic group. The origin of the Tagalogs is still disputed, whether their cultivating homeland was in (what is now) Taal, Batangas, or ascending from the south where their closer linguistic kinsmen (the Visayans) dwelled. Nonetheless, the Tagalogs (like other aboriginal Philippine ethnicities) are likely the descendants of Austronesian-speaking immigrants from prehistoric Taiwan (see Taiwanese aboriginals). Tagalogs speak the Tagalog language, with many dialectal variations, although all Tagalog dialects are considered to be mutually comprehensible to each other. Tagalog people mostly of Merdika and mixed Merdika and Spanish blood in Ternate, Cavite speak Ternateño dialect of Chabacano. The main religion of Tagalogs is Christianity, mostly Roman Catholicism as well as Protestantism. There are also some Muslims. There are many Tagalog Mestizos. Many are a mix of Spanish, Chinese or American descent.

Culture

The Tagalog culture of the Pre-Hispanic times was totally different from its forms today. From a former tattooing tribe, the Tagalog culture grew steadily to accept foreign, especially Hispanic, Chinese, and American cultural influences, and their culture today remains the backbone and the representative of all other Filipino cultures. Traditionally, the Tagalogs are for the most part agriculturalists, although there are some who engage in fishing. Tagalogs have a very strict adherence to conduct and respect, and this is exemplified by practices and their language structure. Tagalogs are also depicted by examples of bravery and courage, as manifested by historical events, e.g., the Philippine Revolution and World War II.

Tagalogs are also focused on food preparation and culinary activities. Women (and sometimes, men) are trained early on to become culinary experts. This is depicted in lavish celebrations during Fiestas and gatherings.

History

Although the present center of the Tagalog Culture and Tagalog people is Manila, Batangas, being its birthplace, is still the 'Heartland of the Tagalog Culture'. Most of the origins of the Tagalog people is based on oral tradition. Because even if they were literate and had a written tradition before the Spaniards arrived, they wrote their ideas on perishable leaves and branches.

According to the Maragtas Legend, a Borneo (a part of the former Srivijaya empire) was one inhabited by 11 Datus who elect from among themselves their supreme ruler. In around 1250, a certain Datu Makatunaw was elected Sultan over the Bornean Sultanate. But his ascent meant that he was able to rule the island with tyranny. He grabbed from his subjects not only their belongings but even their wives.

He was even planning to wage a war to conquer the nearby islands but the other 10 datus did not agree to his direction. To prevent the war, the 10 peace loving Datus, lead by Datu Puti sailed northward where they reached the Island now known as Panay. Here, they met a group of Aeta led by Marikudo. Datu Puti managed to convince them to give his fellow balangay members a place to settle.

The Aeta Chiefstain agreed in return of the golden sukud which Datu Puti wore. There he left the three of his fellow Datus Sumakwel, Bankaya and Paiburong who ruled the Dominions of Hantik (later Antique), Aklan and Irong-Irong (later Iloilo) respectively. These three Dominions formed the Madia-as Confederation. Datu Puti then sailed further North and left the Confederation under the rule of Datu Sumakwel.

He, together with the other six Datus (namely Datu Balensusa, Datu Domangsil, Datu Bankaya, Datu Paduhinog, Datu Dumalogdog and Datu Lubay) found their settlement at the place of many rivers. And they called themselves Taga-Ilog and later, corrupted it to Tagalog. This settlement is now submerged under the mythical Taal Lake. Before, the place that is now called Batangas is the centre of a thriving civilization.

Although paganistic, the first Tagalogs had a religion. Datu Puti was not only a founder of a nation, he also founded Bathalismo. It is believed that there is a Supreme Being called Bathala (from the Sanskit Bathara, god) and many other lesser deities. They also had a very high respect to women, as women are not only allowed to inherit lands, they are allowed to be the matriarch of their clans. And although the office of the Babaylan is open to both sexes, it is generally left to the women. And when a man is chosen to be a babaylan, he will be clad as a woman.

The pre-hispanic Tagalogs divided their dominion into three centers. Tanauan became the center of governance for as its name suggest (from TANAW, to see) one can easily see the whole dominion from there. The center of commerce was in Balayan, as since the 10th Century, it was already an established Chinese Trade Route. And finally, the center of worship was in Lipa. And when the Tagalog was converted into Christianity, the Archdiocese of Lipa remained to be an important religious center. (see also Batangas History)

However, Datu Puti still dreamt to free his brothers that were left in Borneo so he left the dominion under the rulership of Datu Balensusa and Datu Domangsil. The other four Datus divided the rest of the dominion, which included the present day provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Aurora, Bataan, Mindoro, Marinduque, and some parts of Romblon and Palawan, among themselves.

It was also speculated that the Kingdom included the areas of Metropolitan Manila, Bulacan, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Zambales. Today, these areas are still well populated by the Tagalogs.

When Datu Balensusa entered immortality, the Kingdom which he personally ruled was inherited by Datu Kumintang. Thus, the Kingdom of Kumintang was established. It was composed of the undisputed Tagalog Kingdom, while the Northern part was ruled by the heirs of other Datus.

Constant trade with the Chinese made the Northern Tagalogs familiar with Hinduism and Islam. In fact, when Miguel López de Legazpi came to Manila, he found an Islam community under the rule of Raja Lakandula. On the other hand, the Southern Tagalogs continued to be a thriving community, which had closed contact with the Chinese.

The Tagalogs learn very fast, when the Spaniards conquered Manila, the Tagalogs became completely Christianized in less than half a century. This was despite the great mountains that divided their territories. It was said that when Legazpi came to Manila, he was received well by the Tagalogs under the leadership of Raja Lakandula. This showed that the Tagalogs were well versed in diplomacy. However, when the group of Raja Sulayman felt that their honor was being threatened, they showed great bravery in war. Unfortunately, the group of Sulayman was defeated by the Spaniards and the Tagalogs became subject to the Spanish Crown. The people were subjected to forced labor.

A number of Philippine national heroes are Tagalog. The Tagalogs staged the most numerous revolts against Spanish colonization, and were also among the earliest. One such revolt was that of Tagalog Apolinario de la Cruz (Hermano Pule), which was religious in orientation. Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero from Calamba Laguna, is Tagalog-Chinese.

In 1898, most leaders of the Philippine Revolution were also Tagalogs, including the first Philippine president Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, among others.

Since Aguinaldo, four other Tagalogs assumed the presidency: Manuel L. Quezon (who was a Spanish-mestizo with mostly Tagalog native ancestry), Jose P. Laurel, Corazon Aquino partly of Tagalog descent, from her maternal side) and Joseph Estrada. Early Philippine history has always been dominated by the struggles and triumphs of the Tagalog people and the Tagalogs came to dominate the present Philippine economy and politics. Tagalog prominence in the national character is well-founded, as Philippine history has always shown Tagalogs to be in the frontlines, persevering and always forwarding the Filipino spirit.